Andover Town 3–1 Sholing

Sholing who had won their first 2 League games and had not conceded a goal and were the visitors to the Portway. Andover Town made 3 changes from the team that started the first two games of the season.

Connor Cocklin , Jason Silver, and Mcaulie Stubbs replacing Alex Dockree, Mike Gosney and Adam Pearson respectively. Shane Lock was making his 50th Appearance for Andover Town.

As the game got underway the first chance of the game fell to Zach Glasspool but his header went over from Jason Silver’s cross. However, the Deadlock was broken in the 8th Minute when captain Liam Gilbert (pictured) scored with a fierce drive from 25 yards, the ball hitting the back of the net before Ryan Gosney in the visitors goal could move. Gilbert again almost repeated his goal when after picking the ball up on the half way line he drove forward and unleashed a shot from outside the penalty area that just went wide. With 25 minutes gone, Andover doubled their lead when Reece Rusher cut in from the right and drove the ball across Gosney in to the far corner of the net. The Boatmen reduced the deficit in the 28th Minute when Byron Mason headed home from a corner. The goal spurred Sholing on and they began to have the majority of possession. But in the 45th minute Andover were awarded a penalty for deliberate handball in the penalty area by defender Jack Smith. The resulting penalty was blasted home by Zach Glasspool to restore Town’s two goal lead.

Andover went into the half time break leading 3-1

The second half started with the visitors keen to get back into the game. A Sholing free kick from the Right which Lloyd Thomas failed to hold fell to Dan Mason whose first-time shot was cleared off the Line by Mcaulie Stubbs. Liam Hibberd had a shot from outside the box which just cleared the cross bar. Sholing substitute Bradley Norton had an attempt on goal but his shot flew over the bar. A good pass from Shane Lock found Zach Glasspool who was brought down in the box but the referee waved away claims for a penalty. Despite having most of the possession Sholing could not breach the home Defence. At the final whistle, the match finished 3-1 to Andover which moved them into 4th Place in the league table. Curiously Andover did not have any corner kicks in the entire match. Andover Town are away to Team Solent in the League on Monday14th August and at Home to Wimborne Town in the Preliminary round of the FA cup on the 19th August K.O. 3pm.